AP testing for IB student

Pre-College Topics
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An example of one that is hard to make good use of some credits is Western Michigan. You have to take 1 class in each of 8 distribution areas. For engineering, math and science are easy. There is one for English. But the other 5 made it hard to use AP/IB credit and so my daughter would have a lot of credits but not credit that would take place of an actual class. Program: General Education Program Courses - Western Michigan University That’s the list of classes and the AP/IB is here: International Baccalaureate (IB) Policy | Registrar's Office | Western Michigan University

All 3 of my kids are in mechanical engineering.

My boys at Alabama, have most things covered, as they just have fewer groups to take the general education from. There are some things that can’t be covered with their new system now, but my oldest, S22, had 100% of his gen eds done by AP and IB credits. He has the IB DP. But, he’s in engineering and started in Calc 1 and Physics 1, so only could have finished a semester early. Turns outs, he’s taking 9 semesters due to scholarships and me begging him not to graduate this month, lol.

S26 is not IBDP and only took IB English HL and the rest AP. He will have 4 gen eds to take and will knock one out this summer with CLEP. Fingers crossed he gets the 5 for the English credits :). But, he will start in Physics 2 and Calc 3.

As for repeating AP that are major specific, I think it really depends on the kid and circumstances. S22 would have repeated even if he had the score needed because his 2 years of IB Math were Covid and then a school shooting that closed us for 2.5 months. He had large gaps for sure. But, he’s a strong student and does well in math, so had 100% in both Calc 1 and 2. He said after that he probably could have skipped and just filled in the gaps himself, but taking them was fine.

S26 will not repeat. He is stronger in math, really. And I don’t see any reason for him to go backwards.

Both S22 and D24 (also IBDP), said physics I was incredibly easy in college because of IB Physics. Sure they used some calc in it instead of only algebra, but the physics was still the same concepts. S26 has AP Physics C mechanics and will not repeat. I’m sure he’s fine with moving on.

So, you know your kid. How hard is it in high school to get the work done well, score well, and understand the material. If they are working super hard and getting a B and then get a 3 on the test, maybe repeating makes sense. If it’s fairly natural to them, they get an A and a 5 on the test, repeating may not make sense. Will they continue to work hard in college? Will they skip classes because they think it’s easy since they are repeating? All these things come into play for the outcomes.

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I’m a Western Michigan alum! Go Broncos!

At this point, we are just using U of A and ASU as templates since they both have good engineering schools and low in-state tuition with good merit. Not sure yet if either will be a personality fit. As we sort prospects down the road, we will factor in whether we need the savings from credits to afford a given program. We were surprised with IB that some schools were “promising 30 for 30” with credits and exam scores while others barely recognized it. Collecting as much info as possible is so helpful when trying to build a list.

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Although it may look like 30 credits of AP or IB credit can save a year, majors with longer sequences of prerequisites (including many engineering majors) may be difficult to shave off semesters because there may be long sequence that needs to be taken (and shaving off semesters gets more difficult if some of the sequence is offered only once per year). Try not to depend on graduating early to make the school affordable.

Note that the above is in addition to the likelihood that some AP or IB credit may not be useful for subject credit or advanced placement in the student’s major. Engineering majors are often packed completely full of required major and general education courses that extra general elective credit is not useful for the purposes of meeting any graduation requirements.

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Hopefully you do a chance or match me at the given time by with budget etc.

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Thanks. I think that could be really helpful after he gets a few more tests scores under his belt and gets through a few more of the higher level classes. I’ve gotten some good insights so far.

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At some universities, having extra credit units (even if they are not actually useful in fulfilling any requirements) may increase the student’s class standing and result in earlier registration times. For example, with my D26’s first year classes plus her AP credits, she expects to have 3rd year standing, which will be helpful in registering for her 2nd year classes.

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Earlier really helps a lot!

And this comment reminded me that credits can also bump you up to the higher tier of cost/credit earlier. At U of Michigan, I think it’s 54 credits and below is one price and 55 and above cost more. Engineering is $5k or so more per year.

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Interesting observations. IB credits definitely helped my D24 achieve senior status quickly and her IB diploma earned her an extra scholarship and entrance into the Honors College. Tuition is largely covered, so even if she stays all four years and picks up an extra degree, the IB work pays off one way or the other. From an objective point of view, D24 picked the best choice and she has maximized the opportunities. Subjectively, she had to grieve the unaffordable dream, and is still doing so at times.

For S28 and D31 we are zooming out and looking at the differences between schools as opportunities. Still, I find myself caught in moments way over thinking the significance of a tenth grade APUSH test. I am grateful for all the perspectives here.